'Idol' and 'Lie' drop; 'Top Model' returns steady

  "Yay, we 'returns steady'"

Fox's combo of "American Idol" and "Lie to Me" fell from their previous airings Wednesday night.

"Idol" (22.5 million, 7.7 preliminary adults 18-49 rating and 21 share) was down 15% from last week to post its lowest-rated Wednesday episode since 2003, while a season-low "Lie" (10.2 million, 3.6/9) dropped 12%. Fox still won the night among the adult demo and viewers.

On second-place ABC, "Lost" (10.6 million, 4.8/12) continued its mood swings, up 9% this week to win the 9 p.m. hour.

Fans of ABC's "Life on Mars" (5.7 million, 2.1/6) either didn't get the memo that the time-travel drama was canceled, or are suddenly nostalgic for that '70s show. "Mars" jumped 24% in one of those post-verdict ratings swings that doubtless annoy network executives. Somewhere at ABC a phone is ringing with a "Mars" producer on the line ("Hey, hey, wait, it went up!"). That the other networks were in repeats at 10 p.m. likely helped.

CBS was third with repeats. The CW came in fourth, beating NBC, with the premiere of "America's Next Top Model" (3.9 million, 1.8/5). The 12th cycle debut of the reality competition was up 6% from last fall's debut, though down a similar number from last spring's opener. Since last year was a one-hour bow and this year was two, this marks the best Wednesday for the network since 2007. All told: good news for CW.

That left NBC in sixth with the season, and series, finale of "Knight Rider" (5.8 million, 1.8/5), followed by repeats.

Comments

[MrJeff]

Talk about a premature cancellation.

LIFE ON MARS shows life...oh well, we've already slated that money for more reality shows that our production companies are producing.

Maybe ABC will greenlight a series based on the British spinoff to LIFE ON MARS... and then cancel it, as well.

[lost fan]

If the finals follow the pattern of every week before it since LOM
started airing there, it won't be higher than a 1.9 and out of an almost 5 for LOST, there are network heads going "gee we made a mistake". A 1.9 out of 4.9 is a colassal flop and a clear sign that the audience doesn't like it.

ABC gave LOM its 2 best time periods and is letting it run all its episodes. This is not an example of them not treating the show well. Honestly with numbers like that it is dragging down their weekly avg's and a recap of LOST would rate higher and be cheaper. SO the fact that they continue to air all eps is generous to teh creators and audience. Next week when LOST is in reruns, ABC will be 4th, even with a new LOM. Still think they made a mistake?

[lost fan]

that should have read "there are NO network heads going "gee we made a mistake".

[Mike]

As a fan of LOM, I am glad that they made the decision to wrap it all up in one season... In order to increase ratings, it would need alot more of those factors that draw more women (romance, bad boys with good hearts, etc...), but would clog up and drag out the story.